Best Machine Learning Development Agencies

Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions: full comparison for 2026

Last updated: July 2026

Quick verdict

Softweb Solutions (3.9/5) edges ahead of Persistent Systems (3.8/5) overall. Softweb Solutions is the better choice for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain.. Persistent Systems is the stronger option for very large enterprises that want AI/ML delivered by the same vendor already running their broader IT estate.. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions: head-to-head summary

Criterion Persistent Systems Softweb Solutions
Founded 1990 2006
HQ Pune, India Plano, Texas, USA
Team size 10,000+ 201–500
Rating 3.8 / 5 3.9 / 5
Best for Very large enterprises that want AI/ML delivered by the same vendor already running their broader IT estate. Companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain.
Pricing model Managed services and fixed project Fixed project and managed services
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack Python, Azure OpenAI, AWS Python, TensorFlow, Azure IoT
Industries served Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology/SaaS, Government Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics

Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions: overview

Persistent Systems

Persistent Systems is an Indian multinational technology company founded in 1990 by Anand Deshpande, headquartered in Pune, with roughly 24,600 employees as of March 2025. Its AI/ML offerings, including the Persistent GenAI Hub, sit within a much larger portfolio spanning enterprise software, cloud, and digital engineering services rather than being the company's core specialization.

Softweb Solutions

Softweb Solutions is an AI and IoT-focused digital transformation company founded in 2006 (some sources cite 2004), headquartered in Plano, Texas, with additional offices in Chicago, Dallas, and Ahmedabad, India. The company was acquired by global electronics distributor Avnet in December 2018 and now operates as 'Softweb Solutions — An Avnet Company,' building AI models for image classification, intelligent forecasting, and IoT scenario detection alongside broader data and digital transformation services.

Services and capabilities: Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Capability Persistent Systems Softweb Solutions
Custom ML model development
Deep learning & computer vision
NLP & LLM / Generative AI
MLOps & production deployment
Data engineering
AI strategy consulting
Staff augmentation

Tech stack comparison: Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Framework / platform Persistent Systems Softweb Solutions
Python
TensorFlow N/A
PyTorch N/A N/A
AWS
Azure
Google Cloud N/A N/A
Kubernetes N/A N/A
Databricks N/A N/A
LangChain N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Criterion Persistent Systems Softweb Solutions
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Managed services, Fixed project, Staff augmentation Fixed project, Managed services
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Enterprise / not published Enterprise / not published

Target audience comparison: Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Dimension Persistent Systems Softweb Solutions
Best company size Enterprise Startup to mid-market
Best industries Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology/SaaS Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics
Best use cases Enterprises already using Persistent for core IT services wanting to add AI/ML from the same vendor, Very large, multi-year digital transformation programs where AI is one workstream among many Manufacturing or logistics clients needing AI models tied to IoT sensor data, Retail computer-vision projects such as image classification or shelf monitoring
Typical project type Managed services Fixed project

Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions: pros and cons

Persistent Systems
+ 35 years of operating history and one of the largest headcounts on this list (24,000+)
+ AI capability delivered alongside a company's existing broader IT services relationship, reducing vendor sprawl
+ 16,000+ AI-trained staff cited internally, suggesting significant AI upskilling investment (per company website)
+ Public-company scale supports very large, multi-year enterprise transformation programs
- AI/ML is one offering within a much larger, more generalist IT services portfolio rather than the firm's core focus
- Buyers seeking cutting-edge ML specialization may find deeper expertise at AI-first boutiques on this list
- Very large organization can mean slower response times and more layered account management than smaller firms
Softweb Solutions
+ Ownership by Avnet (since December 2018) gives direct proximity to hardware and electronics supply chains for IoT-linked AI projects
+ Nearly two decades of operating history combining AI and IoT delivery
+ Named use cases in image classification and intelligent forecasting show concrete applied AI/ML work
+ Multi-country office presence (US, India) supports cost-flexible delivery
- Acquired by Avnet in 2018 — the company now operates as a subsidiary rather than an independent AI consultancy, which can affect contracting flexibility
- Public sources disagree on both founding year (2004 vs. 2006) and employee count (201–500 vs. 501–1,000)
- IoT-centric positioning may be less suited to buyers wanting purely software-based ML with no hardware/device component

Who should choose Persistent Systems?

Persistent Systems is the right choice for very large enterprises that want AI/ML delivered by the same vendor already running their broader IT estate..

Enterprise-wide scale (24,000+ employees) supporting AI/ML as part of a full IT services portfolio, not a standalone specialty.. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology/SaaS, Government.

Who should choose Softweb Solutions?

Softweb Solutions is the right choice for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain..

Backed by Avnet, a global electronics distributor, giving unusual hardware/IoT supply-chain proximity for AI-on-device projects.. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics.

Decision matrix: Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope Persistent Systems
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme Check each company's engagement model
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: Persistent Systems (Not published) vs Softweb Solutions (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical Persistent Systems
You need staff augmentation or team extension Persistent Systems
You need consulting before committing to a build Persistent Systems

Use case fit: Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Use case Persistent Systems fit Softweb Solutions fit Winner
Enterprises already using Persistent for core IT services wanting to add AI/ML from the same vendor Strong Limited Persistent Systems
Very large, multi-year digital transformation programs where AI is one workstream among many Strong Limited Persistent Systems
Manufacturing or logistics clients needing AI models tied to IoT sensor data Limited Strong Softweb Solutions
Retail computer-vision projects such as image classification or shelf monitoring Limited Strong Softweb Solutions
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Softweb Solutions (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. Backed by Avnet, a global electronics distributor, giving unusual hardware/IoT supply-chain proximity for AI-on-device projects.. It is best for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain..

Persistent Systems (3.8/5) is the better choice when very large enterprises that want AI/ML delivered by the same vendor already running their broader IT estate.. If your situation matches those criteria, Persistent Systems is a competitive option.

Related comparisons

Persistent Systems vs Softweb Solutions FAQ

Is Persistent Systems better than Softweb Solutions?

Softweb Solutions (3.9/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Persistent Systems is better for very large enterprises that want AI/ML delivered by the same vendor already running their broader IT estate.. Softweb Solutions is better for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain..

How do Persistent Systems and Softweb Solutions differ in pricing?

Persistent Systems uses managed services and fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Softweb Solutions uses fixed project and managed services pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: Persistent Systems or Softweb Solutions?

Softweb Solutions is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each agency before shortlisting.

What are the main differences between Persistent Systems and Softweb Solutions?

Persistent Systems's primary differentiator is: enterprise-wide scale (24,000+ employees) supporting ai/ml as part of a full it services portfolio, not a standalone specialty.. Softweb Solutions's primary differentiator is: backed by avnet, a global electronics distributor, giving unusual hardware/iot supply-chain proximity for ai-on-device projects.. They also differ in team size (10,000+ vs 201–500), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Financial Services, Healthcare vs Manufacturing, Retail).

Last reviewed: July 2026. Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.